Favre, who spent 16 seasons playing for the Packers before going through a bitter divorce with the team in 2008, has raised the ire of Wisconsin fans by reportedly telling Bears defensive end Julius Peppers "to go beat the Packers in a couple of weeks."

The conversation took place after the Bears' 40-14 victory over the Vikings on Monday night at TCF Bank Stadium. Favre was knocked out of the game in the second quarter because of a concussion but that didn't stop him from exchanging pleasantries with some Bears players.

"I was happy Brett suited up," Peppers said. "I figured it might be the last time I got to see him across the field from me on the opposing sideline. Yeah, I talked to him after the game. I told him it was an honor to play against him. He said, 'Likewise. … Go beat the Packers in a couple of weeks.'"

Favre retired after the 2007 season with Green Bay but then decided he had made a mistake. The Packers, however, had made a move to go with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback and a bitter Favre was traded to the New York Jets despite the fact he really wanted to be allowed to join the Vikings. Favre retired after one season with the Jets but came out of retirement again to join the Packers' arch-rival in 2009.

Packers fans considered that to be the ultimate slap in the face but many probably felt they had gotten their proper revenge this season when Green Bay swept the Vikings in the season series, including a 31-3 victory on Nov. 21 that resulted in Brad Childress being fired as coach the next day.

Now the wound has been reopened for some with the appearance that Favre wants to see the Packers lose in Week 17 when they play the Bears. Chicago (10-4) clinched the NFC North title on Monday. Green Bay (8-6) is fighting for a playoff spot.

Matt Vensel is in his first year at the Star Tribune after covering the Ravens for the Baltimore Sun for six years. He is a Pittsburgh native and a Penn State grad. Follow him at @mattvensel.

Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune. He is one of 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. Follow him at @markcraignfl.

Master Tesfatsion is the Star Tribune’s digital Vikings writer. He is a 2013 graduate of Arizona State and worked for mlb.com before arriving in Minneapolis. Follow him at @masterstrib.